Amanda Griffiths takes us on an in-depth tour of one of Lancashire's most popular regions

You know it is a pretty special place when the Queen says she wouldlove retire there if she was ever allowed to hang up her crown.

There is no doubt that the Ribble Valley and the surrounding countryside is a hidden gem as far as the rest of the UK is concerned.

Those of us lucky enough to live within the County Palatine know that it is full of charming villages, bustling market towns, independent small shops and more brilliant food producer, retailers and restaurants than you can shake a bread stick at.

We decided to take a closer look at the Ribble Valley and Amanda Griffiths has put together this insider’s guide to give you a feel for a place more and more people are calling home.

Property hot spots

With two large market towns, Clitheroe and Longridge and many attractive villages like Whalley, Waddington and Downham, it is no surprise that the Ribble Valley is a very popular – and sometimes pricey - place to live.

Ian Lloyd has worked in the area for most of his professional career, as a director of Mortimers, part of the Fine and Country estate agency network.He knows more about the Ribble and Hodder Valley property market than most. ‘Clitheroe itself is an attractive place, dominated by its Norman castle and that means it is a popular place to live,’ he says

‘There’s a good range of quality terraced properties, ranging from a smart two bedroom house from around �125,000 to larger Victorian family terraces up to �300,000 as well as a number of new estates with semis ranging from �150,000 to �200,000 and executive detached homes from �4-500,000.

‘The most popular village communities nearby include Whalley, Wiswell, Sawley and Hurst Green where rose-covered cottages can be bought for prices ranging from �200,000 but there are also many hidden gems in small hamlets with period properties, farmsteads and barn conversions in some of our most picturesque parishes.

‘Not only does the Ribble Valley boast some of the finest countryside, the road networks are so good that commuters can be in Manchester within the hour and other towns including Blackburn, Preston, Skipton and Leeds are easily reached by roads and rail.’

The pressure for property has meant areas like Whalley and Clitheroe are growing targets for developers and that is causing concern among locals

In good art

There is a growing arts scene in the Ribble Valley. One of the latest innovations is the Ribble Valley Arts Trail which takes visitors and residents on a tour of the local art hot spots including a host of private galleries like Revolve and The Platform in Clitheroe, Longridge Gallery on Berry Lane and Brabin’s Shop and Gallery in Chipping, the oldest continuously trading shop in the country.

The trail also takes you to a number of public art projects including Ribchester Millennium Sculpture Garden, the Labyrinth at Clitheroe Castle and the Ribble Valley sculpture Trail at Brungerley Park.

Whalley too has its own gallery, Art D�cor Gallery, located near to the railway station in this historic village best known for its 14th century Cistercian Abbey ruins. If it’s history you’re after take a trip to Clitheroe Castle and its brilliant new museum or find out about the Romans at Ribchester Roman Museum.

TV fans will love the picturesque village of Downham, which has been used in a number of films and television programmes. When term ends, you can also visit historic Stonyhurst at Hurst Green.

What’s in store?

If her Majesty was looking for an anniversary present for Wills and Kate, a gift for the Duke or simply a special outfit for her jubilee she could do worse than looking in the Ribble Valley. This is where independent stockists rule the roost with two flourishing market towns, Clitheroe and Longridge and the bustling village of Whalley.

From designer ladies’ boutiques and jewellers to pretty gift shops including those selling a whole range of skincare brands you just don’t find outside Manchester department stores, there is guaranteed to be something for everyone and for all budgets. It’s not all about luxury though, the practicalities of everyday living are also well covered with local butchers and delis and even an award winning wine merchant.

Top class for schools

There’s no doubt that many families who choose to relocate to the Ribble Valley do so because of the high standard of education here. The Ribble Valley is home, of course, to one of the most famous private schools in the country, Stonyhurst College, an independent, private, coeducational Catholic boarding and day school for children from three to 18.

With notable former pupils J.R.R Tolkien and Arthur Conan Doyle, this is a truly spectacular building with outstanding Ofsted reports.

Because of ths, the surrounding Hurst Green area has become a real housing hotspot for parents. Other private schools in the area include Oakhill College in Whalley and Moorland School in Clitheroe. Across the valley, there are several excellent schools including one of the region’s most highly regarded secondary schools, Clitheroe Royal Grammar, which has provided education since its foundation in 1554.

Fine for dining

When it comes to fine dining, the Ribble Valley really sets the standard with delicious treats around every corner. There’s something to suit all tastes at restaurants and county inns including The Freemasons at Wiswell and The Millstone at Mellor, both honoured in our annual food and drink awards. Long term favourites like The Gibbon Bridge, The Three Fishes, Breda Murphy’s at Whalley and The Duke of York at Grindleton are all sure to offer you a warm welcome and a top class dinner.

Nigel Haworth’s Northcote is our only Michelin-starred restaurant with the highly talented Lisa Allen overseeing a kitchen producing exceptional dishes.

The one thing all these establishments have in common is an understanding of the importance of using local produce whenever possible and a new Food Heroes Tour on the Ribble Valley Food Trail takes you behind the scenes of some of our best food and drink producers. There are also regular farmers’ markets at Browsholme Hall, Longridge and Whalley where you can browse local stalls anglersfor tasty treats and a terrific market and food festival in Clitheroe.

Out and about

The Ribble Valley is famed for some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK, so pull on your walking boots and explore it. There are many routes available, from a 70 mile stretch along The Ribble Way, which follows the river from its source at Ribblehead to the estuary at Preston, circular walks around villages like Chatburn and Downham, 2-4 mile circular walks around Clitheroe and routes from Dunsop Bridge to Chipping among them. The area is also popular with cyclists who should check out the Gisburn Forest Bike Trails. What are waiting for?

The print version of this article appeared in the March 2012 issue of Lancashire Life We can deliver a copy direct to your door – order online here